A graphic about what actions have been made by the European Union and the UK, respectively, since negotiations for the UK to leave the EU began on 29 March 2017 has been shared at least 74,000 times on Facebook. The infographic makes twelve separate claims; FactCheckNI has fact checked each of them. We interpret “has” with reference to the date of action delivered, not announced. Continue reading Brexit box viral graphic fact check
Is Irish the only language banned in Northern Ireland courts?
CLAIM: Only the Irish language is banned in courts in Northern Ireland.
CONCLUSION: INACCURATE. English is the working language of court proceedings in Northern Ireland; interpretation and translation services are provided for those who do not speak or understand English. Whether this policy is informed by the Penal Laws is currently contested. Continue reading Is Irish the only language banned in Northern Ireland courts?
Were there over 29,000 cases of domestic violence and abuse in 2016-17?
CLAIM: Over 29,000 incidents of domestic violence and abuse took place in Northern Ireland in 2017.
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE. Continue reading Were there over 29,000 cases of domestic violence and abuse in 2016-17?
Is there majority support for marriage equality?
CLAIM: Seventy percent of people in Northern Ireland and the majority of its Assembly Members support marriage equality for LGBT couples.
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE.
Continue reading Is there majority support for marriage equality?
Is there a high level of support for restorative justice?
CLAIM: There is a high level of public support for restorative justice as a method of dealing with young offenders.
CONCLUSION: UNSUBSTANTIATED. According to surveys collected by NISRA and by the Public Prosecution Service, a majority of respondents support either restorative justice or diversionary options generally. Continue reading Is there a high level of support for restorative justice?
Do half of freed criminals reoffend within a year?
CLAIM: “Almost half of criminals released from prison in Northern Ireland went on to re-offend within 12 months of being freed.”
CONCLUSION: ACCURATE. However, while the article does break down re-offending rates among criminals released from prison, the majority of offenders receive sentences that do not require time in prison. The re-offending rate for Northern Ireland in 2012/13 was 18.5% for all offenders, which is similar to the rate documented in previous years, as well as in England & Wales. Continue reading Do half of freed criminals reoffend within a year?